Foncello & Bolinsky Support Commerce Road State Conveyance

NEWTOWN– State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Martin Foncello (R-107) spoke in strong support of Senate Bill 1562, which revised the deed restriction to preserve an existing state land conveyance on Commerce Road in Newtown, on Tuesday, June 3rd, in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

The proposed change to the prior deed-use restriction of town-owned property at 6/8 Commerce Road in Newtown, Connecticut now goes to the Desk of Governor Lamont for his signature into a Public Act that will preserve this pristine, environmentally-sensitive, meadow by revising its current “Economic Development” deed restriction, to one of “Open Space and Recreational” uses, as officially requested by the Town of Newtown, on November 1, 2024, of its State Legislative Delegation.

This property, comprised of map, block & lot numbers 38-1-21-1, and 38-1-20-2 in the Commerce Road subdivision, has remained undeveloped by Newtown for the prior 29+ years due to poor access, environmental sensitivities, and several years of public discourse about development at the location.

Rep. Bolinsky said, “I fully support this conveyance legislation to update an “Economic Development” deed-restriction on the formerly state-owned property designated as “6/8 Commerce Road”, to the Town requested and resolved request for an “Open Space and Recreation” deed-restriction parcel. This environmentally sensitive meadow land also sits atop an aquifer protection area, and not far uphill from Deep Brook, Newtown’s Cllass-1 Trout Stream. The property also adjoins the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. All things considered, an open space and passive recreation designation makes good sense as an appropriate designation for this ‘picture-postcard’ property.”

Rep. Foncello said, “Having this parcel available as open space will be a fitting use considering the proximity to an animal sanctuary and the aquifer protection area where it is located. I co-introduced this deed-restriction change for the property at the request of local officials and town residents who have expressed an interest in protecting this land for open space and recreational purposes.”

The conveyance bill passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House and now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.